Mining group Rio Tinto and the Chinese State Power Investment Corporation (SPIC) are set to trial battery swap technology for electric dump trucks at Rio Tinto’s Oyu Tolgoi surface mine in Mongolia. The two-year project aims to improve operational efficiency by enabling quick battery replacements, reducing downtime compared to conventional charging stations.
The trial will involve eight electric mining dump trucks from Chinese manufacturer Tonly, each with a payload of 91 tonnes and 13 batteries. A robot-assisted battery changing and charging station will be installed to facilitate the rapid exchange of batteries. “Each battery is expected to last up to 8 hours, and the battery change only takes about 7 minutes,” said Rio Tinto’s Chief Decarbonisation Officer, Jonathon McCarthy. This system, already in use in China’s mining industry, will allow Rio Tinto to test the potential of battery swap technology to increase the operating time of the dump trucks, which typically cover large distances in mining operations.
The first electric dump truck will arrive at Oyu Tolgoi later this year, with the remaining seven vehicles and the full battery swapping infrastructure expected to be operational by mid-2025. “By partnering with the State Power Investment Corporation, we will be demonstrating the latest technology and innovation available in China and assessing its potential to help decarbonize our operations quickly and cost effectively,” McCarthy added.
Han Zhiwei, Chairman of State Power Investment Group, emphasized the global importance of the collaboration, stating, “Through our collaboration with Rio Tinto, we are bringing leading green transportation innovations to the international market, showcasing the strength of Chinese enterprises in the field of green technology innovation.” He further expressed optimism about the long-term benefits of the partnership, saying, “We hope our low-carbon technologies will assist Rio Tinto in achieving its decarbonisation targets, and we look forward to continued cooperation between both parties to jointly promote the application of green energy.”
If successful, the trial could lead to further electrification of Rio Tinto’s mining fleet, which currently operates around 700 diesel-powered dump trucks globally. The move comes as Rio Tinto’s competitor, Fortescue, has made headlines by ordering 475 electric vehicles from Liebherr, including 360 electric dump trucks to be operated autonomously.
